Referee Nika Amashukeli Accused and Attacked After Scotland vs England Match
Nika Amashukeli, a Georgian referee, gained attention after the intense Scotland vs. England match in the Six Nations tournament. His journey through rugby officiating has been marked by remarkable challenges and milestones.
Background of Nika Amashukeli
Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 1994, Amashukeli’s affinity for rugby developed at a young age. Initially a football fan, he shifted to rugby at the age of 11, influenced by his father’s encouragement to watch a significant match. His passion led him to represent Georgia at youth levels. However, injuries, including five concussions, forced him to retire from playing at just 20.
Refereeing Career
After retiring from playing, Amashukeli pursued a career in refereeing. He made his Test debut in 2015, officiating a European Nations Cup match between Montenegro and Estonia. His career progressed as he refereed various international fixtures:
- 2019 World U20 Championship, Argentina.
- First Georgian referee for a tier-one fixture: Wales vs. Canada in July 2021.
- Officiated matches like Ireland vs. Japan and Wales vs. Australia during autumn internationals.
Amashukeli’s Six Nations debut came in 2022 when he officiated Ireland vs. Italy, an emotional moment for him. He also refereed the much-anticipated match between South Africa and Ireland later that year, noting the physical intensity of the game.
2023 World Cup Achievement
In 2023, Amashukeli achieved his goal of officiating at the Rugby World Cup. Initially feeling anxious about his selection, he experienced a clever prank when he received a misleading call from World Rugby’s Match Officials head, Joel Jutge. Despite the delay, Amashukeli received confirmation of his selection as one of the referees for the tournament.
Serious Incident in 2016
Amashukeli’s career faced a life-threatening incident in 2016 during a Didi 10 match in Georgia. Following a controversial game ending, he was stabbed in the leg by an unidentified assailant. The violent confrontation stemmed from confusion over timekeeping rules, leading to a chaotic scene that resulted in the attack. Despite this traumatic experience, he chose to continue his career in rugby officiating after a full recovery.
Contributions to Rugby
Nika Amashukeli’s determination and resilience have greatly contributed to the rugby community. From overcoming personal trauma to achieving significant career milestones, his story serves as inspiration in the sport.
